Cable Q&A

A transcription of Wedensday’s press briefing with Raiders coach Tom CableCable: OK, we’ll start with Murphy, he did not practice, he has a chest, there’s a contusion in the chest in the lung area, and is doubtful for this game. Schilens did not practice with the knee. Gallery did not practice, got a sore calf, it does not appear to be serious and should go tomorrow. Satele practiced limited. Michael Bennett practiced limited. Zach Miller practiced limited. Michael Bennett practiced limited. Zach Miller practiced, he’s got a sore arch in his foot. Gradkowski did more today than he did last week, but still limited. Goethel is back on the practice field limited. Howard practiced limited. Wimbley (groin) practiced limited. John Henderson did not practice. Shaughnessy practiced limited. Hiram Eugene has a sore pec and was limited today and Chris Johnson did not practice.

Q: Any idea how long term the Murphy injury could be?

Cable: It could be a couple weeks.

Q: Who would start in place?

Cable: We’ll, between Jacoby and Johnnie Lee, Nick Miller will obviously get in the rotation, but I would say those two, Jacoby and Johnnie Lee.

Q: Will that change how you do offense, lean more on running, involve Zach and running backs more, or try get those guys up to speed?

Cable: No, I made the comment the other day when I got asked, Jacoby has caught up to him, if you will, so I think he’s fine. Johnnie Lee has proven he can do it. We will not go one way or the other, we’ll keep doing what we’re doing.

Q: Any progress with Chaz?

Cable: There is progress, it’s just slow. But there is progress.

Q: Did he have a second surgery since the one back in camp?

Cable: No.

Q: Murphy had five catches the last three games, do you need more production out of young wideouts or are they doing things in terms of blocking and opening up other things. Do you need more catches and yards?

Cable: I think we’d always like get more out of our skill players, for sure. We like ‘em and we think they bring a lot to the table, but I think it always has to be the opportunities have got to be there. We’ve got to throw it to them, we’ve got to put them in position to do that. Really, they’re doing a great job, they’re blocking and when we’ve asked them to go make a play we’ve been able to do that. I just don’t think maybe enough.

Q: Did Gradkowski do better job of getting ball to wide receivers than Campbell?

Cable: No, I think it’s more of what teams are giving us. At that same, there have been opportunities to get more them more opportunities, or plays with the ball. We’re stressing that. We want to get that done.

Q: Jason starting Sunday?

Cable: Let’s talk about that Thursday or Friday.

Q:Was Demola Adenaji on the field?

Cable: Yes, he is an addition to the practice squad. And we released Joseph.

Q: Is John Henderson’s situation clearing up at all?

Cable: Yes. We’re improving. He is in and out of the boot now. So we have a chance next week.

Q: Have you played a team yet that has defined itself as winning by special teams like Seahawks do?

Cable: No, and in fact we talked about it as a staff and I don’t know if we’ve seen this ever, really. They have four wins and they’re doing good things on both sides of the ball, but their special teams has impacted three of those wins to a great, great degree.

Q: Schneider was here, is he doing things for them he did for you guys?

Cable: Yeah, they’re really well-coached and play extremely fast. That’s become a trademark of that football team. And if you know anything about Pete and his mantra if you will, its playing fast and practicing fast and their special teams. They kind of fall right in line with that.

Q: How do they look different now than in preseason?

Cable It’s different because you’re trying to win games now; you’re not trying to evaluate your team. They’re very good up the middle defensively. No question about that. Good middle linebacker. The two inside tackles are tough, tough guys and the two ends are good pass rushers, And they have a good secondary. The safety from Texas (Earl Williams) is a fine player.

Q: What do you recall about Mike Williams’ time here?

Cable: I coached against him when I was at UCLA, and he could take over a game. He knew how to use his body and really was a competitive guy going after the football. For whatever reason, coming from college to the NFL kind of got lost in some of that. But I think he’s regained that. He is certainly showing kind of the old Mike Williams from before. He’s catching everything, using his body the right way, looks to be in great shape. However he came to it, he’s got himself right and he’s playing well.

Q: Are there things you can do with Marcel that you cant do with other FBs?

Cable: I think there is a skill set there that every week we try to grow it and do something with it, and he’s responded everything we’ve asked him to do. The thing that I see him getting better at is truly playing the fullback position in the backfield, he’s starting to strike people and finishing more blocks; his fits, his understanding, protection, those kinds of things, he’s doing a fine job.

Q: Marcel has been getting tips from defensive players regarding blocking, etc. Is that important?

Cable: I think so. I think anytime – do this a lot with linemen, talk to them about what they’re trying to running a game or what they’re trying to do rushing the passer or how they’re playing the blocks. I think that bodes well for any young player in this league. If you get a chance to sit down with them at lunch or in between a walk-through in practice, whatever, and pick their brain. Find out, learn more about your trade by trying to understand what they’re trying to do back to you.

Q: How are Chris Johnson and Shaughnessy?

Cable: Shanughnessy was limited and Chris did not practice.”

Q: An issue with concussion protocol?

Cable:“Yes, as does Satele. All those guys.

Q: Chris Johnson didn’t seem to be feeling bad Monday . . .

Cable: He does feel fine. A little bit of a headache. He doesn’t feel bad or anything like that. You just have to go through the proper protocol.

Q: If Murphy can’t play, will Darrius’ role change, will it be expanded?

Cable: I think it has to. Whenever you get an injury at a position everyone has got to step it up. Look for whoever goes in in Louis’ place to step it up as well as the guy already in there, Darrius and those guys who have been playing, Johnnie Lee. We’ve got to get more out of everybody now.”

Q: Darrius won’t change spots?

Cable: No.

Q: Is Darrius over the flu?

Cable: He’s fine now.

Q: It seems like your special teams get up for games against other special teams considered to be good. Sense they’re fired up to go against Seattle?

Cable: You have to. First of all you have to point out the fact you brought up. They’re 4-2 and leading their division, and three of the four wins have come specific from their teams. So much of an NFL team is involved in special teams. So when you make that statement, you’re really talking to your whole football team.

Does anyone else think Fitzpatrick may be the best qb from the 05 draft? I’m watching the nfl replay for the Bills Ravens game and he looks good.

RaiderDebo

Guy Says:
October 27th, 2010 at 10:23 pm
Does anyone else think Fitzpatrick may be the best qb from the 05 draft? I’m watching the nfl replay for the Bills Ravens game and he looks good.
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